When you think of parks in Oshkosh one comes to mind, Menominee Park. Running along lake Winnebago, Menominee Park serves the active and inactive alike. Every season offers something to do in the park.

The Winter season kicks off with the annual Celebration of Lights during the holiday season. The park is decked out all a sparkle with lights, decorations and events. Then there is cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, jogging for the brave and the Oshkosh Fisheree.

Spring brings a carpet of green and the return of our thousands of migratory birds that make nests on the intake island in the middle of Miller's Bay. The sound of the cracks of bats are starting to be heard, along with the tennis players grumbling over bad serves. Neighbors and visitors alike take to the jogging trails to remove the indoor skin tone they have developed and tighten up a few flattened places. The little ones enhabit a land called Little Oshkosh a community playground built by 6000 local volunteers. It is truly a must see to be believed.

During the summer the park just hops with things to do. There is sunbathing and swimming at the beach, a children's area with rides and boat rentals, soccer, soccer and more soccer, volley ball, a four-mile rubber/asfault jogging track, baseball, baseball, baseball, fishing, sailing, boating, the list goes on to what ever you want to do.

Menominee Park also houses a great little zoo. There are Wisconsin native wolves and elk as well as non native species. It is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon.

No summer in Menominee Park is complete without mentioning Sawdust Days, our Fourth of July week celebration. This year the festival runs July 2 thru 6th. Guaranteed to be back again this year is the Louisiana Hot Sauce tent, the carnival rides, the historic reenactment and the myriad of food booths. Check in to their website as the spring progresses to get the latest news. The highlight of the festival is always the grand fireworks on the 4th. This is the event in Oshkosh. The East-Side residents set up camp in their front lawns as everyone they know takes up residence. On this one week of the year, everyone is an East-Sider.

The fall brings a chill but does not damper the activities in Menominee. Footballs instead of soccer balls become common and the softball leagues begin their tournament play in earnest. The tennis players are still grunting their way through another set and the joggers keep trucking along. The frenetic pace of activity screams out of the coming season of lounging.

Oshkosh is blessed with many neighborhood parks. As you tour the East-Side and University neighborhoods note how close you always are to the public greens.